1832.] 
ISLAND OP SUMATRA. 
165 
in equal shares ; the widow and daughters being dependant on the 
sons. In these divisions, the paternal residence, as a general rule, 
falls to the lot of the eldest : the exception is, when a younger 
member of the family is more talented or worthy, he may take 
precedence of the elder, and succeed to the patrimony of the 
doosoon. 
For a long time, the custom has prevailed among them of set- 
ting apart a portion of their money to be deposited in some secret 
place, known to themselves only. To this hidden treasure they 
are accustomed to look for consolation, when overtaken by any 
unforeseen misfortune. This is probably a borrowed custom, as it 
is practised by the Malays at the present time, along the whole 
pepper coast. Whatever may be the motive, or its origin among 
the Rejangs, it is not adopted by the Malays from motives of pru- 
dential foresight, but from a feeling of universal distrust, as well 
of each other as^ of strangers. A Malay, generally speaking, 
has confidence neither in his father nor his mother ; nor is his 
wife intrusted with his confidence, for his money is usually buried 
where no one can approach the spot but himself. Almost every 
Malay, therefore, on his deathbed, has some important secret to 
impart to his family or his immediate friends : when sudden death 
overtakes him, the treasure is irredeemably lost. 
A person unwilling to be answerable for the debts or actions of 
his son, or other relations under his charge, may outlaw him, by 
which, froni that period, all family connexion is relinquished, and 
he is no longer responsible for his conduct. All debts, however, 
must be paid up to the period when the individual is outlawed. 
The Saxons had a custom very similar to this among them, but 
it related more particularly to the murderer. The family became 
exempt from feuds when they abandoned the culprit to his fate, 
binding themselves neither to hold communion with him, nor afford 
him assistance. 
In order to convict, in all cases of theft, the article stolen must 
either be found on the thief, or he must be taken in the act. The 
" punishment is, to pay double the value of the goods stolen, a fine 
of twenty dollars, and a buffalo ; for smaller offences, a fine of 
five dollars and a goat. 
If any person shall pass the night in the house of another, and 
leave it in the morning before daybreak without giving notice to 
